Easy tips

What should the coil reading be on a corvette?

What should the coil reading be on a corvette?

Alternatively, you can check the coil right in the car with your multimeter if you remove all three leads first. This is the aftermarket coil that was in my Corvette. Normal reading on the primary windings is 1.6, but 1.5 is still within the acceptable range, so this by itself doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.

How can I check the resistance of my ignition coil?

You’ll need a digital multimeter to check the resistance levels of your coil. The side terminals of the coil are marked positive (+) and negative (–) and these are where you can measure the resistance of the primary windings.

What kind of resistor do you put in the HT lead?

There are two types of resistor – an in-line type which you connect to the middle of the HT lead, or a plug-in type which you push into the centre coil-lead socket in the distributor cap . If the interference continues, fit a similar suppressor to each plug lead.

What should the resistance be on a Delco ignition coil?

This reading of 8.84 does indicate that the coil’s secondary windings are not putting out as much voltage as they should; the minimum acceptable resistance reading here should be 11.00, with approximately 13.5 being normal. Here’s the primary reading on the new replacement GM Delco coil before I installed it.

How do you connect a ballast resistor to a coil?

Strip the end of the positive wire from the ignition, and connect it to the positive end of the resistor. From the other terminal on the resistor a wire goes to the positive on the coil. Make sure to attach securely to the connecting terminal, by wrapping the wire around the post and tightening with a screwdriver.

Where is the ballast resistor on the firewall?

It is located with the ballast resistor on the firewall. Install it the same way as the resistor. Once it is located on the firewall, connect the positive wire from the ignition to the terminal. With the installation of the ballast resistor completed, start the engine and let it run.

Why do you need a ballast resistor for a points ignition?

In a points type ignition, the ballast resistor would help to keep the spark down, and the coil from being burned up too quickly. Of course, this meant that there was going to be a little less power getting to the coil. Connecting a ballast resistor is a fairly straightforward project, but you will want to pay attention to the wiring.

What causes a ballast resistor to wear out?

Some people try to jump the resistor, which means you bypass the ballast resistor and the extra current goes to the points. The points are not designed to take this extra voltage, which causes them to wear out and fail prematurely.

How to test primary resistance of ignition coil?

To test the primary resistance on the coil, grab a multimeter and attach the positive probe to the positive terminal on the coil. Then, attach the negative probe to the negative terminal. Set the multimeter to 200 ohms in the resistance category and take the reading. Typically, the primary resistance should be somewhere between 0.4-2 ohms.

How to test the ignition control module ( distributor )?

Whether you use a multimeter or an oscilloscope, you’ll be able to successfully diagnose this no-start condition! So, here’s the basic list: An LED light. You can see what this tool looks like here: The LED Light Test Tool And How To Make One. Automotive 12 Volt test light. Multimeter.

When does the ICM open and close the ignition coil?

The ignition control module (ICM), upon receiving this PIP signal, starts to ‘open and close’ the ignition coil’s primary current. As you might already be aware, it’s this action that makes the ignition coil spark.

How is the ignition coil output test done?

The test procedure is the same for all of the above ignition systems. With the engine running and the oscilloscope displaying live readings, very carefully remove the connection to the spark plug (or extension adapter).

Where does the voltage go in an ignition coil?

Depending on the type of coil you have, this voltage either travels from the single ignition coil into a distributor, from the coil itself into a spark plug wire, or in the case of Coil-On-Plug (COP) systems, the coil sits directly on top of the spark plug.

What should the voltage be on a DIS coil?

This gap is preset and at least 30 kV should be displayed on the oscilloscope if the coil in good enough condition. The pre-set waveform has the maximum voltage measurement displayed at the bottom of the screen. Figure 3 shows the connections made on a negative-fired spark plug on a DIS system.

Can you check the negative fired plugs on an ignition coil?

It will only be necessary to check the negative fired plugs on this system as a fault within one side of the coil pack will show up regardless of the polarity. Plug a high tension (HT) pick-up lead into Channel A on the PicoScope, clip the lead’s fly lead on a suitable earth and clip the HT clip on to one of the engine’s negative fired plug leads.

Alternatively, you can check the coil right in the car with your multimeter if you remove all three leads first. This is the aftermarket coil that was in my Corvette. Normal reading on the primary windings is 1.6, but 1.5 is still within the acceptable range, so this by itself doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.

How is voltage switched on and off in a ignition coil?

This is done by quickly switching the voltage on and off on the low voltage side of the coil. Coils have a low voltage side, called the primary and a high voltage side called the secondary. Inside the coil there is lots of wire surrounding an iron rod that goes down the center.

What should resistance reading be on ignition coil?

Switch the meter’s resistance range to the 20K-ohm setting and attach the negative (black) meter lead to the center terminal of the coil. The reading here should be 11.00 or better, with 13.49 being about normal.

What are the terminals on an ignition coil?

The side terminals of the coil are marked positive (+) and negative (–) and these are where you can measure the resistance of the primary windings. Set the multimeter to the 200-ohm setting and attach the meter’s leads corresponding to the terminal markings, red being positive and black being negative.

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Ruth Doyle